8-hour shifts

Full details

The schedule is days, 07:00 to 15:30. The position qualifies for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan repayment reimbursement benefit, provided the applicant meets VHA policy requirements and files within four months of appointment. Approval, the award amount, which can reach $200,000, and the eligibility span of one to five years rest with the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office after it reviews the application. Anyone who previously took part in the program may not apply again.

The certified nurse anesthetist delivers anesthesia care across inpatient and outpatient areas for patients with any level of medical complexity. Responsibilities include pre-anesthesia evaluation, induction, maintenance and emergence, post-anesthesia recovery, peri-anesthetic support, and emergency response. The practitioner builds comprehensive anesthesia plans for local, regional, general and monitored care both inside and outside the operating suite, collaborates with other clinicians, and writes pre-, intra- and post-operative orders and medications within privileges. Scope of practice is set locally and bounded by the individual's state license and the facility's medical center bylaws.

Beyond bedside work, the role involves mentoring staff, serving as a preceptor and adjunct faculty for trainees, developing evidence-based practice, and supporting quality and safety improvement. Controlled-substance prescribing is available to those holding the required federal registration numbers, within the preoperative, intraoperative or postoperative setting.

The benefits package includes a competitive salary with regular increases and possible performance awards. Paid leave totals 50 days yearly, made up of annual leave, sick leave and federal holidays. Retirement includes a traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401K with agency contributions of up to 5 percent. Federal health, vision, dental, term life and long-term care insurance are offered, and many federal programs can continue into retirement. The position requires one full, unrestricted state license. Work is Monday through Friday on a full-time basis, telework is not authorized, and relocation or recruitment incentives may be available for highly qualified candidates. Permanent change of station is not authorized, and no financial disclosure report is required.

Candidates need a master's or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs at the time of completion. Those whose education is still pending may be tentatively selected but cannot be hired until it is finished. Maintaining an active, unrestricted license as a certified nurse anesthetist and current certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, or an equivalent COA-recognized credential, are conditions of employment. Entry is at the second nurse grade, with no prior experience required, while the third grade requires one year of specialized anesthesia experience. A temporary appointment of up to one year and a day may be offered to candidates who lack the license or certification.

Other conditions include U.S. citizenship in most cases, English proficiency, a background check, pre-employment physical and drug screening, required influenza vaccination, and a possible probationary period. The position sits in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status. Applicants must complete the required documents listed in the announcement, and transcripts are needed when education is used to qualify.